Simon Dyson fires promising opening round in Dubai Desert Classic

YORK’S Simon Dyson maintained his searing run of sub-par form to produce a promising opening round in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

The 36-year-old posted a healthy three-under-par 69 at the Emirates Golf Club to follow on from his joint 16th finish in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.

After opening with a par Dyson then quickly made inroads with birdies on the second and third holes. Another birdie on the sixth put him three-under and among the early pace-setters.

But that blitz burned out almost as quickly as it flared when he suffered a turbulent turn.

Dyson dropped his first shot on the eighth, and while he bagged his fourth birdie on the tenth, he then dropped a second shot on the 13th.

However, rather than buckle, the world number 174 regathered his composure posting a run of pars before a final birdie on the 18th restored his three-under total which left him six shots off first day leader Rory McIlroy.

The Irishman’s 63 comprised an eagle and two birdies in the outward nine and no fewer than five birdies in the last five holes.